Babes On Bay Street

The Artist’s Way

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is a classic.   The author describes its essence when she says: “In 1978 I began teaching artists how to “unblock” and “get back on their feet” after a creative injury. I shared with them the tools I had learned through my own creative practice. I kept it all as easy and gentle as I could.”   I love the way she describes being inspired to begin teaching the Artist’s Way because I believe it describes how each of us receives the gift of “inspiration”.  She says: “Like all artists – like all of us if we listen – I experience inspiration. I was “called” to teach and I answered that call somewhat grudgingly.”

My favourite exercises from this book are the Morning Pages and the weekly Artist’s Date. However, I love the entire 12 week program. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is at a time in their life where they are looking to reenergize themselves from a creative or any other perspective.

The book is full of fabulous quotes. Some of my favourites include:

“The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.” Julia Cameron

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Anais Nin

“If I allow myself to be bullied and cowed by other people’s urges for me to be more normal or more nice, I sell myself out. They may like me better, feel more comfortable with my more conventional appearance or behaviour, but I will hate myself.” Julia Camerson

“Follow your bliss and doors will open where there were no doors before.”  Joseph Campbell

“You’re either losing your mind – or gaining your soul. Life is meant to be an artist date. That’s why we were created.” Julia Cameron

I hope you enjoy it!! Please share your thoughts, comments, questions, feedback on this book or any other in the Resources section of the Forums.

One Response to “The Artist’s Way”

Comment from Andrew Bray
Time September 10, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Interesting how the art world can tie into other aspects of life. Robert Genn is a painter who distributes twice weekly emails, and here are two quotes he has passed on:

“Given an equal amount of intelligence, timidity will cause a thousand times more problems than audacity.” – Carl von Clausewitz

“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word: excellence” – Pearl S. Buck

Cheers!
Andrew